United States v. Smallwood

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ELLIS, District Judge.

Investigators hired by court-appointed defense counsel seek $6,759 in payment for services rendered in this case, but certain of the investigators’ conduct in the course of the investigation raises a question as to whether the payment request should be denied in whole or in part. Specifically, the investigators recorded a telephone interview with a critical prosecution inmate-witness, without the knowledge or consent of that witness or his appointed counsel. At issue, therefore, is whether an investigator hired by a lawyer must abide by an attorney’s…